Flying Machine "Smile a Little Smile"
Printed From: Top 40 Music on CD
Category: Top 40 Music On Compact Disc
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URL: https://top40musiconcd.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=3077
Printed Date: 19 April 2025 at 1:46am
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Topic: Flying Machine "Smile a Little Smile"
Posted By: Brian W.
Subject: Flying Machine "Smile a Little Smile"
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 2:00pm
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I did a search for previous discussions of this and didn't see anything.
All database entries say "neither the 45 nor LP version." What is the difference on the 45? iTunes has an OOP Flying Machine CD called "Flight Recorder," track 13 of which is mono and described (by other sources) as "US Single Version." Is this the true 45 version? |
Replies:
Posted By: sriv94
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 2:32pm
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Is the time listed (2:49)?
I have the Varese "25 Greatest Bubblegum Classics" CD with a (2:49) mono version that Pat does not have the "neither" designation for. TTBOMK, the only difference is the longer versions have a little keyboard intro before the beginning, whereas the mono version does not. ------------- Doug --------------- All of the good signatures have been taken. |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 2:35pm
| The time is listed as 2:56 on iTunes for "Flight Recorder." The listed time on the 45 is 2:55. |
Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 3:49pm
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I grabbed the track in question off of Napster. I'd betcha it's the 45 version and mastered from vinyl! You can
hear surface noise as the track fades out... |
Posted By: jimct
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 5:15pm
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Brian W. wrote:Posted By: eriejwg
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 5:22pm
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Based on Jim's description above, then the mono version available on Napster and iTunes is the 45 version.
Like I said, mastered from vinyl! |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 6:11pm
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Thanks, Jim and eriejwg. Hmm, so I wonder if the mono version on "25 All-Time Greatest Bubblegum Hits" is the 45 version.
(As a side note, this is one of the earliest songs I remember hearing on the radio.) |
Posted By: TomDiehl1
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 8:55pm
Correct in that this is not the U.S. single version, however it IS the UK single version. Why they changed it for the US is anyone's guess, but it seems a LOT of songs got slightly different versions when issued in the US verses the UK (a few Dave Clark Five songs come to mind as does I'll Be There by Gerry & The Pacemakers). ------------- Live in stereo. |
Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 25 January 2008 at 9:55pm
If this is the case, then the database should probably be updated to have all the "neither the 45 nor LP version" comments changed to "U.K. 45 version", just like in the case of Gerry & The Pacemaker's "I'll Be There". |
Posted By: satchdr
Date Posted: 16 February 2008 at 12:21am
| I've reviewed the "25 All-Time Bubblegum Hits" and "Super Hits Of The 70's Volume 1" versions. To continue the discussion: if the mono "25 All-Time Greatest Bubblegum Hits" version is the US 45 version and the stereo "Super Hits of the 70's Volume 1" version is the UK 45 version, then is there a different "LP version" and, if so, (1) what are the differences between that and either of the 45 versions and (2) other than the vinyl LP "The Flying Machine" (Janus 3007), where can it be found on import CD? |
Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 16 February 2008 at 3:20pm
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I dug out both the Congress 45 and the track from Rhino's History Of British Rock, Vol. 9 CD and compared them. Both are mono and have the horn break near the end.
The 45 run time is 2:54.6, while the CD run time (with the intro edited to match the 45) is 2:52.3. However, the 45 is noticeably slower than the CD. In addition, the 45's last note is quickly faded out about 1.5 seconds earlier than on the CD, where the same note is allowed to linger. The last 2 seconds on the CD have what appear to be vinyl source scratches. It was very easy to declick them without any adverse effect. In listening to the 45 again, I began to suspect that it, too, may have originally been sourced from vinyl, hence the earlier fadeout. It never was the cleanest-sounding 45 in the first place. Stretching the CD track to 102.2% yields roughly the same pitch and speed as the US 45, with the stretched CD track (with full last note) timed at 2:56.1. Upon simultaneous playback, the 45 gradually slowed down a smidgeon, then caught up with the CD track at the song's ending(!) |
Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 18 February 2008 at 12:10am
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I also have "Smile a Little Smile" on the various artist compilation Everlasting Love (Sessions/Warner Special Products OPCD-4522), which is in mono. Like all other mono CD appearances, it too contains the oboe solo bridge prior to the song's final chorus. However, the Everlasting Love disc also has the 5.4 second keyboard intro that was edited off the U.S. 45 and LP release. Therefore, the current "neither the 45 nor LP version" database comment is correct here.
Clarification question for Tom Diehl: Are you saying the U.K. 45 version contains both the keyboard intro and the brief "ba-ba-ba-ba-baaa-ba" vocal interlude before the final chorus, just like the stereo version that has frequently appeared on CD? Also, does anyone know if "Smile a Little Smile" was mixed and released in stereo on the Flying Machine's self-titled 1969 vinyl LP? |
Posted By: satchdr
Date Posted: 18 February 2008 at 9:36am
| Todd, I've just ordered a copy of the self-titled stereo vinyl LP through eBay Express and as soon as I get it, I'll give it a listen and report back to all. Dan |
Posted By: PaulEschen
Date Posted: 18 February 2008 at 11:34am
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My stereo vinyl LP has the song in mono, with no keyboard intro, and the
"oboe" (although I think this sounds like a cheap keyboard) solo. The LP is Janus JLS 3007, with a dull orange and brown label (inner ring number JLS 3007-A-1, and then the date 11-12-69). |
Posted By: davidclark
Date Posted: 19 February 2008 at 12:50pm
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And reporting from Canada, my 45 on the Phonodisc label is the same as the U.S. 45 on Congress except that it contains the organ intro. ------------- dc1 |
Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 19 February 2008 at 9:33pm
| Interesting, David... So I guess it would be accurate to note then that the version on the Everlasting Love CD set is the "Canadian 45 version"? |
Posted By: satchdr
Date Posted: 20 February 2008 at 11:32pm
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Well, my copy of the Janus JLS-3007 LP arrived today (same run off markings as PaulEschen noted above). The cut appears, actually, in "mildly" electronically reprocessed form on the LP. It can be noted not only from a slight separation of highs and lows between the left and right channel but also the left and right meters don't match, the right being louder than the left. Also, as Yah Shure stated, the last note fades quickly and there is either turntable rumble or some background tape noise after the quick fade. Can't tell which it is. It is also pitched slower (per Yah Shure's analysis) than the version that appears in true mono on Varese's "25 All-Time Greatest Bubblegum Hits" and on the Congress C-6000 45 but otherwise the three are identical. And, it contains the "oboe ending" and doesn't have the keyboard intro.
So, the "25 All-Time Bubblegum Hits" version is both the U.S. 45 version and a slower, but identical, true mono version of the U.S. LP version. But, inquiring minds, at least this inquiring mind, still wants to know: does the "Super Hits of the 70s Vol. 1" stereo version, referred to as the U.K. 45 version by TomDiehl1, appear on any British LP? Interestingly, both "Smile A Little Smile For Me" and "Send My Baby Home Again," which is the last song on the Janus LP, are both mono/"mildly" reprocessed stereo and the remaining eight cuts on the LP are true stereo. Wow! Who'da thunk that this one-hit wonder's top ten tune would have so many interesting variations? Dan |
Posted By: Brian W.
Date Posted: 21 February 2008 at 5:29am
Thanks for answering my question. |
Posted By: anthology123
Date Posted: 22 February 2008 at 12:56pm
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I have also heard different versions, and there is no mention here if the song
is faded out at the end of the last vocal note (Rose - Marieeeeee...) On some versions, it fades, others it does not. I have the Super Hits of the 70s, and an Underground Records 45. I also have a Solid Gold Saturday Night recording of the song with the keyboard intro and the no bababa vocals and a cold ending. Is this a custom edit of the song? I don't recall stereo or mono. |
Posted By: satchdr
Date Posted: 18 March 2008 at 6:27am
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To bring this topic around one more time, I just received the UK single (Astor AP-1618) through eBay and it is in mono with the keyboard intro, no bababa vocals near the end and a nice clean last note "Rosemarieeee" with no fade or truncation. This version is also a bit faster, per Yah Shure's comments.
So, it appears that, consistent with davidclark's post, the UK 45 version and the Canadian 45 version are identical and different than the US single version. |
Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 18 March 2008 at 9:10am
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Dan, Astor 1618 is the Australian single. The UK 45 was Pye 17722.
The "Astor Control" notation on an Aussie Janus Potliquor 45 I bought last year piqued my curiosity. Although the 1000-series 45s aren't mentioned, there's an interesting history of Astor Records here: http://www.milesago.com/industry/astor.htm - http://www.milesago.com/industry/astor.htm |
Posted By: satchdr
Date Posted: 18 March 2008 at 9:31am
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Interesting link on Astor Records history and demise. Thanks for passing that along.
It makes sense because the seller on eBay was from Australia. The label picture you posted was identical (except it states "A Pye Records U.K. Recording" to the right of the center hole, which is what caused my confusion about its origin.) Dan |
Posted By: KentT
Date Posted: 26 May 2008 at 11:25am
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Hi,
This song is a British Pye Recording. The US version on that Janus LP mentioned is a mildly rechanneled needledrop. The US 45 version is on Congress Records (A MCA label) and is mono only. ------------- I turn up the good and turn down the bad! |
Posted By: jimct
Date Posted: 07 June 2008 at 12:10am
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Posted By: Yah Shure
Date Posted: 08 June 2008 at 11:28am
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Jim, I just now discovered that I had the Varese 25 All-Time Bubblegum Hits version. The Congress 45 has .196 seconds at the very beginning that is trimmed off of the Varese CD track, leaving it with a tighter beginning of the first note than the 45.
But aside from that, the difference is in the pitch. The CD track runs that much faster than the Congress 45! Steroids, perhaps? :) |
Posted By: jimct
Date Posted: 09 June 2008 at 11:02am
| Thanks for helping us finally get to the bottom of this one, Yah Shure! |
Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 06 January 2012 at 11:32pm
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I hope no one minds me bringing up the Flying Machine's "Smile a Little Smile" once more since some of the "neither the 45 nor LP version" comments in the database still need to be modified. I thought it wouldn't hurt to compile a final summary here just to help clear up any confusion and make sure we're all on the same page:
==> The U.S. 45 and U.S. LP version are identical and run 2:54. ==> The U.S. 45/LP version does not have a 5-1/2 second keyboard intro, but the U.K. 45 version does. Other than that, the two versions are identical (including the oboe interlude from the 2:34-2:44 mark). As a result, the song as it appears on the 25 All-Time Greatest Bubblegum Hits CD (Varese Sarabande 302066132) would probably be more fully and accurately described with the comment: "U.S. 45 and LP version, but much faster". The database comment for The History of British Rock, Vol 9 (Rhino 70327) and Sessions Presents Everlasting Love (Sessions/Warner Special Products OPCD-4522) CDs should be modified to state: "U.K. 45 version". ==> Stereo CD versions containing the brief "baaa-ba-ba-ba-baaa-baaa" vocal interlude from 2:34-2:44 are neither the U.S. 45 nor LP version, nor the U.K. 45 version. I still don't know where or when this version first surfaced, nor do I know when the song was first mixed to true stereo. If anyone does have more info on this, please do share. The remaining database CDs containing "Smile a Little Smile" will need to be evaluated on an individual basis. |
Posted By: Pat Downey
Date Posted: 07 January 2012 at 10:42am
| Todd, when I use the comment "neither the 45 nor LP version" it always refers to the US 45 and LP version. |
Posted By: Todd Ireland
Date Posted: 07 January 2012 at 3:34pm
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I understand, Pat. However, there have been instances, particularly with Top 40 singles from British artists, where you have elected to specify a "U.K. 45 version" comment in lieu of "neither the 45 nor LP version", especially when such a version very commonly appears on U.S. CD releases. And in this case with "Smile a Little Smile for Me", the U.K. 45 version appears on a number of CDs (presumably on all the mono CD entries except for the 25 All-Time Greatest Bubblegum Hits disc on Varese).
I know your database isn't in the business of identifying and sorting out 45 versions from other countries, Pat. But I think in instances like "Smile a Little Smile for Me" it can be very helpful for subscribers to know the specific origin of some of the "neither the 45 nor LP version" entries that so prevalently keep appearing on CD after CD. (And consequently, I've now opted to upload the U.K. 45 version into my music archive hard drive since it was an official release in the Flying Machine's native country and not some bogus version or edit issued years after the fact.) |
Posted By: davidclark
Date Posted: 07 January 2012 at 10:10pm
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and, the Canadian 45 version on Pye includes the organ intro, the organ
bridge and runs faster than the U.S. 45. It likely is the same as the U.K. 45. I too would love it if someone could identify where/when the stereo version first appeared. ------------- dc1 |
Posted By: TomDiehl1
Date Posted: 27 January 2018 at 5:18pm
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Has anyone been able to determine the
origins of the stereo mix? ------------- Live in stereo. |
Posted By: KentT
Date Posted: 27 January 2018 at 7:09pm
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Very unusual situation with this record, the US single was
on Congress, the US LP was on Janus (set up in the interim as a USA branch of Pye Records. Not a common thing to see a single issued on one label, the LP on a different label. ------------- I turn up the good and turn down the bad! |
Posted By: davidclark
Date Posted: 27 January 2018 at 8:59pm
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Yep. I got it from a reliable source that it first appeared on 1970 UK
Marble Arch Records VA LP "The Tony Macaulay And John MacLeod Song Book". ------------- dc1 |
Posted By: KentT
Date Posted: 28 January 2018 at 12:20pm
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That would make sense. Marble Arch for Americans was one
of Pye Records budget labels. ------------- I turn up the good and turn down the bad! |
Posted By: crapfromthepast
Date Posted: 26 September 2020 at 8:43pm
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I'm still a little fuzzy on some of these details, which I'll indicate below.
UK 45 version It's mono. It starts with a 5-second-long organ intro. It has a horn solo starting at 2:34. The vocals have little or no reverb. Listen to the first two lines of the song, from 0:19 to 0:24, and notice the absence of reverb. This is the version that turns up on most (all?) of the mono CDs. The oldest CD I have with this version is PolyTel Canada's 2-CD Brit's Blitz (1987), which I originally purchased by mail-order from Silver Eagle Records back in the late '80s. It's clearly taken from vinyl, with cracklies on the intro, and and abrupt fade to silence at the end of the last note. Not great. At least it's really in mono here. There's a different analog transfer on Sessions/Warner Special Products' 2-CD Everlasting Love (1989). It's much better than Brit's Blitz, without a doubt. I'm not sure if I hear vinyl cracklies on the fade, or just tape artifacts. The same analog transfer is used on:
Finally, there's still one more analog transfer on Rhino's British Invasion Vol. 9 (1991). I do think it sounds better than anything that came earlier, but it's really bright-sounding, with a tremendous treble boost compared to the others. I hear cracklies on the fade, too, and can't tell if they're vinyl cracklies or just tape artifacts. I'm not sure if the UK LP version was mono or stereo, or if it was the same as the UK 45. Discogs shows a UK album on Pye called Down To Earth With The Flying Machine, with a copyright date of 1970 (the single was released in 1969), and a printed time of 3:58. The 3:58 time is likely an error. 2:58 would make much more sense. US 45 version Much like the Beatles' "I Feel Fine"/"She's A Woman" 45, the US 45 of "Smile A Little Smile For Me" adds extra reverb. Plus it edits out the organ intro. And it's slowed by about 2.2%, using the Rhino CD as a reference. (According to a 2008 post above from Yah Shure.) It's mono. It starts a fraction of a beat before the downbeat, and leaves in a fraction of a beat of the organ intro. The horn solo starts at 2:32. Most importantly, it has reverb on the vocals (and possibly some other instruments, but it's easier for me to hear it on the vocals). Listen to the first line of the song, from 0:14-0:20, especially the tails of the words "accept" and "good". It's not clear to me if the US 45 version can be created from the UK 45 by adding reverb. The US 45 version is not available on CD. The US LP version is the same as the US 45 but in fake stereo. (According to 2008 posts above from Kent T and satchdr.) Non-hit stereo version This is the version that turns up on most (all?) of the stereo CDs. This version is possibly from a 1970 UK compilation LP called The Tony Macaulay And John MacLeod Song Book. (According to a 2018 post above from davidclark.) It's stereo. It starts with the 5-second-long organ intro. Instead of the horn solo starting at 2:34, it has a sung "ba-ba-ba" portion. It turned up first on CD on Rhino's Have A Nice Day Vol. 1 (1990), where it sounds quite nice. I'm pretty sure it's from a tape source. I don't hear any cracklies or turntable rumble on the intro or the fade. The same analog transfer is used on:
For the UK 45 version, go with Rhino's British Invasion Vol. 9 (1991). It's really bright-sounding, but it seems to use good source material. For the US 45 version, you can do a needledrop of the 45, or experiment with editing, changing the speed, and adding reverb to British Invasion Vol. 9, although I'm not sure if doing so will actually reproduce the US 45. For the non-hit stereo version, go with Rhino's Have A Nice Day Vol. 1 (1990). ------------- There's a lot of crap on the radio, but there's only one http://www.crapfromthepast.com" rel="nofollow - Crap From The Past . |
Posted By: PopArchivist
Date Posted: 22 August 2023 at 8:13pm
I can't find a stereo version of this song on any official release. If anyone knows where it is at on CD or digital kindly point me in the right direction... ------------- Favorite two expressions to live by on this board: "You can't download vinyl" and "Not everything is available on CD." |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 22 August 2023 at 11:32pm
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It sounds like the 1970 stereo version never existed on a Flying Machine LP (or
45) but a UK VA comp of Tony Macaulay songs - and it appears on CD on the Rhino HAND series (and others). Since its first appearance is on an LP from 1970, and not, say 1976, I'd say it's an official 1970 stereo version - and the only one in existence. And luckily on CD. Am I misunderstanding your question? It sounds like the US mono 45 version doesn't exist on CD or digitally anywhere. |
Posted By: Pat Downey
Date Posted: 23 August 2023 at 7:53am
| Which Rhino Hand made cd does this song appear on? |
Posted By: crapfromthepast
Date Posted: 23 August 2023 at 9:53am
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Pat - I believe that the post above referred to Rhino's Have A Nice Day series, not the Rhino Handmade series.
Also, the database currently lists Varese Sarabande's 25 All-Time Greatest Bubblegum Hits as "faster than the U.S. 45 and LP version". I believe this should also be "neither the U.S. 45 nor LP version", like most of the other entries. The Varese disc lacks the reverb that was present on the US 45, just like most of the other CD releases of the song. ------------- There's a lot of crap on the radio, but there's only one http://www.crapfromthepast.com" rel="nofollow - Crap From The Past . |
Posted By: EdisonLite
Date Posted: 23 August 2023 at 1:21pm
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Yes, sorry for the confusion. To clarify, I was referring to Rhino's Have a Nice
Day series. |
Posted By: LunarLaugh
Date Posted: 24 August 2023 at 1:26pm
If you don't mind the solo part in the middle being different, it's easily found on Rhino's Super Hits of The 70s: Have a Nice Day Volume 1. ------------- https://thelunarlaugh.bandcamp.com/ - Listen to The Lunar Laugh! |
Posted By: Pat Downey
Date Posted: 25 August 2023 at 7:34am
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The version on Rhino's Have A Nice Day cd is not the LP
version? |
Posted By: crapfromthepast
Date Posted: 25 August 2023 at 8:26am
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According to a 2018 post above from davidclark, the Have A Nice Day stereo version is from a 1970 UK compilation LP called The Tony Macaulay And John MacLeod Song Book. We believe that this 1970 LP was the first time the song was mixed to true stereo.
According to 2008 posts above from Kent T and satchdr, the US LP version is the same as the US 45 but in fake stereo. ------------- There's a lot of crap on the radio, but there's only one http://www.crapfromthepast.com" rel="nofollow - Crap From The Past . |
Posted By: davidclark
Date Posted: 27 August 2023 at 9:54pm
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That's right. My information about that UK LP came from a reliable source. So,
the Rhino HAND is not the LP version, as that UK LP was not issued in the US nor at the time of the 1969 45. ------------- dc1 |
Posted By: Bill Cahill
Date Posted: 08 September 2023 at 9:28am
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My U.S. Janus Records Flying Machine LP (DJ copy) features "Smile A Little Smile For Me" in mono, and sounds exactly
like the mono single. The follow single "Baby Make It Soon" is in stereo on my LP. |